Security Guards pay in Knoxville
In Knoxville (TN), the median pay for security guards is $17.22 an hour ($35,810 a year). About 2,860 people work in this job there.
That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($38,020). It is about the same as the Tennessee median ($36,000).
Pay range for security guards in Knoxville (TN)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.14 | $29,420 |
| 25% of workers | $14.52 | $30,200 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.22 | $35,810 |
| 75% of workers | $20.90 | $43,470 |
| 90% of workers | $27.41 | $57,010 |
Security Guards pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $37,010 | 10,710 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $36,270 | 500 |
| Jackson | $35,960 | 460 |
| Clarksville | $35,900 | 340 |
| Knoxville (this page) | $35,810 | 2,860 |
| Chattanooga | $35,650 | 1,820 |
| Memphis | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Morristown | $30,790 | 70 |
| Cleveland | $30,680 | 100 |
| Johnson City | $27,720 | 570 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for security guards
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.9% over ten years, little or no change · about 156,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Knoxville (TN)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,380 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.